Copy of Psychology Chapter 1

Why Study Psychology?

Chapter 1 Section 1

Main Idea:

Psychology is a science. Like other scientists, psychologists seek to explain and control behavior and mental processes and test their ideas through research methods.

psychology is... the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes.

behavior is... any action that people can observe or measure.

cognitive activities are... mental processes.

psychological constructs are... theoretical concepts that enable one to discuss something that cannot be seen, touched, or measured directly

theory is... a statement that attempts to explain why something is the way it is and happens the way it does.

principle is... a basic truth or law.

1. Do we need psychology?

2. How would this field help?

*Behavior - any action that others can measure or observe

- voluntary behaviors include walking, talking, eating etc.

- involuntary behaviors include heart rate, brain activity etc.

*Psychologists also study people's emotions

*Scientists:

1. observe

2. describe

3. explain

4. predict

5. control

1. Social Sciences - history, anthropology, sociology, economics etc. deal with humans and their interactions with the world

2. Natural Sciences - physics, chemistry, biology etc. are concerned with the physical world and nature

*Psychology is a social science, but it has foundations in the natural sciences

- the anatomy of the brain (biology)

Psychological Research

*psychology tests ideas through various research methods

1. surveys

2. experimentation

*involving humans

*involving animals

Psychological Theories

*Theories are statements that attempt to explain why things are the way they are and why they happen the way they do

*Psychologists organize their research into theories.

*Theories attempt to set principles (basic truth or law)

Recap:

*Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

*Psychology is related to the social sciences because it deals with how individuals react in society with one another.

*Psychology is related to the natural sciences because it deals with the nature of the physical world.

What Psychologists Do

Chapter 1 Section 2

Main Idea:

Psychologists work in many different fields, but they all focus on studying and explaining behavior and mental processes.

psychiatrist is... a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of psychological problems and who can prescribe medication for clients.

basic research is... research that has no immediate application and is done for its own sake.

1. Clinical Psychology

-This is the largest group of psychologists

-Typically use interviews and tests

-Helps clients understand issues, overcome problems, and adjust or change behavior,

-Can work in: prisons, hospitals, university clinics, and private practices etc.

****Not to be confused with psychiatrists

2. Counseling Psychologists

-Typically treats clients with adjustment problems rather than serious psychological disorders.

-Sometimes helps with career path choices

-College Counselor

3. School Psychology

-Help students with problems that interfere with learning.

-peer problems, family problems

-Gives IQ tests and achievement tests and observes students in the classroom.

4. Developmental Psychology

-Studies the changes that occur throughout a person's life span

-physical changes

-emotional changes

-cognitive changes

-social changes

****Nature vs. Nurture???

5. Social Psychology

-Focus on external influences that explain why people behave the way they do.

-the ways in which women and men typically behave in any given social setting

-why do some people tend to conform to group expectations

-the reasons for and the effects of prejudice and discrimination

6. Experimental Psychology

-Mainly perform experiments such as the functions of the nervous system.

1. Industrial Psychology

-Works with corporations making work more efficient.

-Google...

2. Community Psychology

-Promotes change in the community rather than with the individual

-Think big... Progam > Team > Individual

3. Forensic Psychology

-These psychologists work in the criminal justice system

-Helps police cope with stress

-Hostage crises

A History of Psychology

Main Idea:

Since ancient times, philosophers and scientists have studied behavior and mental processes. Psychologists throughout history have continued to refine and develop these studies.

introspection

associationism

structuralism

functionalism

psychoanalysis

psychodynamic thinking

behaviorism

Gestalt psychology

1. Ancient Greece

a. Socrates taught Plato. Plato taught Aristotle.

b. More than 2,000 years ago, Socrates suggested that we could learn much about ourselves by carefully examining our feelings and thoughts.

-this is called introspection

c. Aristotle outlined the laws of associationism

-the image of a loved one makes us feel......

1. Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) "STRUCTURALISM"

a. Wundt established psychology as a field of study separate from philosophy and the natural sciences.

b. considered the father of modern psychology

c. He viewed mental processes as activities

-classified feelings as:

1. pleasant v. unpleasant

2. tense v. relaxed

3. excited v. depressed

Describe ice cream....

Describe your feelings while eating ice cream...

Tell me about an experience when you ate ice cream...

2. William James (1842-1910) "FUNCTIONALISM"

a. maintained that mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment

b. adaptive behaviors are learned and maintained

c. some become automatic

-EXAMPLE: driving a car to a destination and upon arrival, asking...... how did i get here???

3. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) "PSYCHOANALYSIS"

a. emphasized unconscious motives and internal conflicts in determining and understanding human behavior.

b. study/analyze dreams, slips of the tongue, memories

c. research did NOT come from experiments, rather from consultations.

2. John Watson (1878-1958) "BEHAVIORISM"

a. defined psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior

b. study the behaviors, not the thinking...

-"....regardless of who we think we really are on the inside, we can be totally conditioned by external events..."

3. B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) "REINFORCEMENT"

a. when animals are presented with a reward for a behavior, they are more likely to perform that action again

b. people learn in the same way >> how to act based on positive or negative reinforcement that guides their behavior.

4. The Gestalt School "GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY"

a. idea that context influences peoples perception of information

Behavior and Mental Processes

The Goals of Psychology

Vocabulary

Psychology as a Science

Major Fields in Psychology

Vocabulary

Applied Fields in Psychology

Socrates

Aristotle

Plato

Structuralism:

2. The Middle Ages

a. Deep "introspection" was lost during The Middle Ages

b. popular belief was those with mental issues were "possessed" by demons as a punishment for sins.

c. Tests were given to determine if a person was possessed

*Water Float test

Early Views and Beliefs

Pioneers in Psychology

Vocabulary

1. Ivan Pavlov: "conditioning"

a. Pavlov's dog?

b. can condition a "reflexive" response

Modern Developments in Psychology